The word “Pygmy” describes a selection of a species that is of smaller stature. Pygmy Rabbits are North America’s smallest lil bun buns, and also have one of the smallest populations. What makes these little rabbits so unique, other than their small size, is the fact that female pygmy rabbits build nests in burrows that they dig themselves. These rabbits are also highly dependent on “sagebush” for not only shelter and security for their burrows, but also for their food source. In 2003 the pygmy rabbit was officially titled an endangered species, at the time it was believed LESS THAN THIRTY pygmy rabbits remained in the wild. A breeding program began with pygmy rabbits in captivity in an attempt to bring the population up in size.
You can find out more information on pygmy rabbits at the following links
- https://gifts.worldwildlife.org/gift-center/gifts/Species-Adoptions/Pygmy-Rabbit.aspx
- http://naturemappingfoundation.org/natmap/facts/pygmy_rabbit_712.html
- https://www.fws.gov/nevada/nv_species/pygmy_rabbit.html
- https://www.fs.fed.us/wildflowers/plant-of-the-week/artemisia_tridentata.shtml
Materials
Yarn:
- Paintbox Simply DK – Slate Grey (105)
- Paintbox Simply DK – Ballet Pink (152) – just enough to make the nose.
Tools:
- 3.25mm Crochet Hook (a 3.00mm or 3.5mm could be used depending on your tension)
- 9mm Safety Eyes
- Scissors
- Yarn Needle
- Stitch Marker (or use a running stitch marker)
- Polyfil
Optional:
Stitches Used
U.S. Terminology
Right Handed Instructions
| CH | Chain Stitch |
| ST | Stitch |
| SK | Skip Stitch |
| SL ST | Slip Stitch |
| SC | Single Crochet |
| SCINC | Single Crochet two in Same Stitch (Increase) |
| SC2TOG | Single Crochet two Together(Decrease) |
| * | Stitches inside asterisk are repeated |
| , | A comma is used to indicate when to move on to the next step in the round/row. |
Note: You can use an Invisible Decrease in place of the sc2tog. I recommend it.
Special Techniques Used
Head
| Round 1: | Create a Magic Circle, 6 sc, no join. | (6 stitches) |
| Round 2: | 6 scinc. | (12 stitches) |
| Round 3: | *1 scinc, 3 sc* repeat * to * 2 more times. | (15 stitches) |
| Round 4: | *2 sc, 1 scinc, 2 sc* repeat * to * 2 more times. | (18 stitches) |
| Round 5: | *5 sc, 1 scinc* repeat * to * 2 more times. | (21 stitches) |
| Round 6: | *3 sc, 1 scinc, 3 sc* repeat * to * 2 more times. | (24 stitches) |
| Round 7: | *7 sc, 1 scinc* repeat * to * 2 more times. | (27 stitches) |
| Round 8: | *4 sc, 1 scinc, 4 sc* repeat * to * 2 more times. | (30 stitches) |
| Round 9: | 30 sc. | (30 stitches) |
Add Safety Eyes between Rounds 5 and 6. Place the first Eye before the first inc in round 5, and place the second eye after the second inc in round 5. (9 sc apart)
| Round 10: | *1 sc2tog, 3 sc* repeat * to * 5 more times. | (24 stitches) |
| Round 11: | *3 sc,1 sc2tog, 3 sc* repeat * to * 2 more times. | (21 stitches) |
| Round 12: | *1 sc2tog, 5 sc* repeat * to * 2 more times. | (18 stitches) |
| Round 13: | *1 sc, 1 sc2tog* repeat * to * 5 more times. | (12 stitches) |
| Round 14: | 6 sc2tog. | (6 stitches) |
Stuff the head firmly and fasten off. Do not leave a tail.
This how the Head should look with the “seam” facing you.
Nose
Using Pink yarn, Insert your yarn needle into the head coming out through the magic circle. Create 1 whip stitch around the row above, create another whip stitch slightly to the right, and create a third whip stitch slightly to the left of the first. You should now have a tiny triangle “nose”.
Ears
Make x2
| Round 1: | Create a Magic Circle, 6 sc, no join. | (6 stitches) |
| Round 2: | *1 scinc, 1 sc* repeat * to * 2 more times. | (9 stitches) |
| Round 3: | *2 sc, 1 scinc* repeat * to * 2 more times. | (12 stitches) |
| Round 4: | *3 sc, 1 scinc* repeat * to * 2 more times. | (15 stitches) |
| Round 5: | 15 sc. | (15 stitches) |
| Round 6: | *3 sc, 1 sc2tog* repeat * to * 2 more times. | (12 stitches) |
| Round 7: | 12 sc. | (12 stitches) |
| Round 8: | 6 sctog. | (6 stitches) |
Do NOT stuff. Attach the ears between rounds 8-9 of the head. Before tying off, pinch the base of the ear so that the ear folds in half, do 2 pass thrus with the yarn tail to keep in place, fasten off and weave in ends.
Front Paws
Make x2
| Round 1: | Create a Magic Circle, 6 sc, no join. | (6 stitches) |
| Round 2-5: | 6 sc. | (6 stitches) |
| Round 6: | *1 sc, 1 scinc* repeat * to * 2 more times. | (9 stitches) |
| Round 7: | *2 sc, 1 scinc* repeat * to * 2 more times. | (12 stitches) |
Fasten off leaving a tail for sewing, set aside. You do not need to stuff, but if you do, I suggest using scraps of yarn of the same color.
Back Paws
Make x2
| Round 1: | Create a Magic Circle, 6 sc, no join. | (6 stitches) |
| Round 2-7: | 6 sc. | (6 stitches) |
Fasten off leaving a tail for sewing, do not stuff, set aside.
Body
| Round 1: | Create a Magic Circle, 6 sc, no join. | (6 stitches) |
| Round 2: | 6 scinc. | (12 stitches) |
| Round 3: | *1 sc, 1 scinc* repeat * to * 5 more times. | (18 stitches) |
| Round 4: | *1 sc, 1 scinc, 1 sc* repeat * to * 5 more times. | (24 stitches) |
| Round 5: | *3 sc, 1 scinc* repeat * to * 5 more times. | (30 stitches) |
| Round 6: | *2 sc, 1 scinc, 2 sc* repeat * to * 5 more times. | (36 stitches) |
| Round 7-13: | 36 sc. | (36 stitches) |
| Round 14: | *1 sc, 1 sc2tog* repeat * to * 5 more times, *1 sc, 1 scinc, 1 sc * repeat * to * 5 more times. | (36 stitches) |
| Round 15: | *1 sc, 1 sc2tog* repeat * to * 4 more times, *1 sc, 1 scinc, 1 sc* repeat * to * 5 more times, 1 sc, 1 sc2tog. | (36 stitches) |
| Round 16: | 1 sc, 1 sc2tog, 9 sc, * 1 sc, 1 sc2tog, 1 sc* repeat * to *4 more times, 4 sc. | (30 stitches) |
| Round 17: | *3 sc, 1 sc2tog* repeat * to * 5 more times. | (24 stitches) |
| Round 18: | 1 sc, 1 sc2tog, 6 sl st, *1 sc, 1 sc2tog* repeat * to * 4 more times. | (18 stitches) |
Leave a long tail for sewing the head on.
Fill the body with as much polyfil as needed to give the bum some shape, but do not fully fill! Pin the head into the open space, you will have to push the head in and pull the edges of the body around the head so that it sits snugly in the opening.
The 6 sl st’s on the body should be placed along the back of the head at first decrease row of the head (Round 10).
Notice in the picture that at the top of the eye there is 2 rows before the body and the bottom of the eye only has 1 row before the body piece.
Once you are satisfied with how the head is sitting in the body opening, begin sewing the body to the head using the Amigurumi Piece Join Method. Leave about an inch unsewn to finish filling the body with more polyfil.. Finish sewing the head on and tie off, weave in the ends.
Attach the back paws so they lay flat on the bottom of the body, and attach the front paws so that they elevate the front of the body slightly.
Final Touches
Using the Slicker Pet Brush, Brush your bunny’s fur to make the yarn appear fuzzy, do not brush too hard or you might pull out more fiber from the stitches than needed to get the look.
Enjoy your Pygmy Rabbit!
Thank you for choosing my pattern!
This pattern and all information contained in this post is the property of Tiffany Horton. You have permission to sell any finished product created using this pattern, a link back to this pattern is appreciated. The information contained in this post (the pattern, media,etc) may not be copied, reproduced, distributed, or shared in anyway. Rewriting, reselling, distributing, or copying this pattern electronically, verbally, written or otherwise, including translations, is prohibited.
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